Former fire chief charged with DUI

A former Leavenworth fire chief has been charged with driving under the influence in connection with a Sept. 5 motorcycle accident, according to the county attorney.

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The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

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Posted Feb. 27, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 6:27 PM

Posted Feb. 27, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 6:27 PM

A former Leavenworth fire chief has been charged with driving under the influence in connection with a Sept. 5 motorcycle accident, according to the county attorney.

Mark DeMaranville still works for the Leavenworth Fire Department, but he was removed from the position of chief in November. He now works as a health inspector and safety officer.

He appeared Wednesday in Leavenworth County traffic court for the DUI charge. He indicated he plans to apply for diversion, according to County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Under a diversion agreement, the defendant would have to fulfill various conditions in order to have the charge dismissed. Thompson said the conditions can be similar to those of probation.

Thompson said the case is being prosecuted by Atchison County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman in order to avoid a conflict of interest. Thompson said Kuckelman will evaluate the diversion application.

"He's going to handle it," Thompson said.

Kuckelman could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The DUI charge stems from an accident that occurred Sept. 5 in the area of U.S. 73 and Edwards Drive northwest of the city of Leavenworth. When Leavenworth County sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene the night of the accident, they reportedly found DeMaranville's motorcycle off the roadway. He was transported to the hospital by a private vehicle, according to information released by the Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Andy Dedeke, who was a captain at the time, said DeMaranville reported another vehicle had been involved in the accident. A second vehicle was not at the scene when emergency responders arrived. An officer who worked on the case was unable to substantiate or disprove whether a second vehicle had been involved.

The Sheriff's Office had received the results of a blood alcohol test when the case was referred to the Leavenworth County Attorney's Office. The results were not released by the Sheriff's Office.

DeMaranville was injured in the accident, and didn't return to duty until early October.

When DeMaranville was removed as fire chief, city spokeswoman Melissa Bower said it was an ongoing personnel issue and didn't provide further details.

Since then, Mark Nietzke has been serving as the acting fire chief.

When contacted Wednesday regarding the pending case against DeMaranville, Bower said "the city doesn't comment on personnel issues."

DeMaranville is not scheduled to return to court until March 27, but if he's approved for diversion he may not have to make another court appearance.